West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle apologises for passing lewd remarks on female journalist

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, who is known for his fiery antics, recently found himself on the receiving end of heavy criticism for passing “sexist remarks” towards female journalist Mel McLaughlin during Big Bash League game on Monday night.

However, Gayle has come out in the open on this issue, saying the issue was blown out of proportion. Gayle had asked McLaughlin for a drink during a live interview and said “don’t blush, baby.” McLaughlin was apparently shocked by Gayle’s remarks and ran out of words, but Gayle says his line was “just a joke.”

“There wasn’t anything meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, I’m really sorry for that. There wasn’t any harm meant in that particular way, to harm any particular person in any particular way like that. It was a simple joke. The game was going on. Entertainment, things get out of proportion but these things happen. It wasn’t any harm done and like I said, I will leave it at that. I’m sorry for that. We have to move on, simple,” The Guardian quoted Gayle as saying at Melbourne Airport on Tuesday morning.

In addition to his apology, Gayle has been fined $10,000 (AU$13891.30) for his demeanor and the Melbourne Renegades club, for which he plays, also apologised formally to the journalist.

“The club would like to extend a formal apology to Mel McLaughlin. Mel is an outstanding sports presenter. We think of her very highly and the club and players will ensure we work with her in a professional and respectful manner in future,” the club’s formal apology on its official website read.

Gayle also revealed that he tried to talk to McLaughlin after the incident but all his attempts went in vain. The Melbourne Renegades club will donate this amount paid as fine to the McGrath Foundation.

It was revealed by Channel Ten’s head of sport, David Barham, that McLaughlin was upset over the entire episode. He appreciated McLaughlin’s efforts to control her anger over Gayle’s misbehavior.